Best spark plugs / wires with FE in mind?
Awesome site, first post! I'm getting ready to give my '98 Dodge Neon Sport (37k miles) a tune up for the first time since I got it about a year ago. Over the past 6 months I've been keeping track of gas mileage via doing the math when filling up. I've been noticing a gradual drop in gas mileage. I got down to about 25 MPG then I decided to change the filthy air filter. It didn't really make a difference. Air pressure in the tires were good. So I'm thinking the next step is to change the plugs and wires. Anyone out there have some advice for what brands I might want to check out as well as what brands to stay away from with FE in mind?
Thanks a bunch :) |
I use copper core plugs - and change them every 15K miles - pick your brand.
Personally, I like Champion Copper Plus spark plugs! For the wire sets, I prefer NGK... ;) |
The best plugs I have found for my Neon (97 highline DOHC) have been the plain old champion copper plugs. This seems to be consistent with other folks on the Neon boards as well. The plug wires on these are so short, that just about any good quality brand name will do, although I went with the NGK as well and have been pleased.
If your mileage is still down, make sure that you don't have a brake dragging and that the rear wheel bearings are in good shape. Just helped a friend change his and his MPG went up by 5....and of course it was quieter without the hum of the bad bearing. If you are running the stock "habitrail" air cleaner set up, you can also remove the cold air tube (Air cleaner to front of car) and the air will both flow better and be warm air for better MPG since you just changed the air cleaner. Other than that, you can also do the key dance and run the codes...you may have a sensor out of range. 37k miles on a 98 though....Wow that is low. Good find since the 98's are after the head gasket upgrade. Jim |
I'd generally agree with the fellas. The extra money spent on fancy plugs only gives you longer change intervals. Copper works just as good as platinum or irridium, it just doesn't last as long.
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Great advice! I know which cold air intake you're talking about. I actually had to reattach that sucker when i replaced the air filter because it was disconnected. Doh! I'll work on that first.
However, whatdo you mean by key code dance? |
I like using platinum plugs because of the 100,000+ mile change intervals and I usually just buy a good quality plug wire. I think the ones that are on my '88 Escort are the best quality Auto Zone brand. They have a lifetime warranty too. If mileage has dropped that much you should check your 02 sensor, I have had them go bad before and my mileage would drop about 25-30%. The car probably came from the factory with platinum plugs and shouldn't need changing yet.
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I do believe in quality parts and only use quality brand ignition parts, but when it comes down to it, fuel is ignited by spark. As long as the fuel ignites, the spark plug is doing as intended. Adding extras to a plug (Splitfire, Rapidfire, etc) does nothing for fuel economy or power.
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along with what the others have said just get some name brand plugs and you'll be good to go. Spark plugs are the worst for building up the hype on power and MPG. Also look into the fuel filter, that could help.
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Sorry for the delay getting back, was out of town for work.
The key dance is turning the key from off to on (not start) 3 times at about a secone apart each. The Check Engine Light will flash the codes stored in the computer. You can use a code reader....but if it is built in..... Haynes manuals list what the codes mean or you can find more info on neons.org Jim |
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NGK non-suppression plugs, and premium wires. You are not looking to remove resistance, but resistivity, which is resistance in relation to diameter. Iridium and platinum are good for longevity, as previously stated. Splitfires suck (in every vehicle I've ever tried them in at least - 6 of them). I've had good luck with AC Rapidfires - on high performance ignitions at least. I currently run NGK non-suppression Iridiums - my car doesn't take wires. I would recommend Taylor 10.4mm wires if they have a set for you, if not, get minimum 9mm wires - highest quality you can afford...
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I'm using NGK iridium IX in my car... I bought a 2008 aveo with 34k miles on it... its stock coppers were horrendusly roasted... the iridium IX gave a notable improvement.
Note, most of the improvement was just "new plug" and not iridium the NGK IX is rated for 60 thousand miles, and is a low voltage plug... that means its better for cold winter starts (which I need in chicago) Once the engine is warm... if the plug burnt to hell... it doesn't make a difference |
...don't believe that "low-resistance" wires will help your FE. While "low-resistance" wires were popular with the hot-rodders, they tend to create LOTS of "ignition-noise" STATIC which your radio will loudly announce to the listening audience.
...additionally, too little wire resistance is also detrimental to maintaining optimum inductive-discharge spark-duration time -- it effectively lets all the spark "arc" energy dump to ground almost immediately, rather than maintaining the "arc" duration for about 1,000 microseconds by "metering" the current level discharge by the coil-secondary/wire RL-time constant. |
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